Apple and Walnut Charoset

Happy Passover!!  I know it’s a bit belated, but I still managed to sneak in this recipe before the end of Passover. Passover is one of my favorite Jewish holidays; actually one of my favorite holidays, period.  I love how it centers around family ritual and retelling the story of Moses and the early Israelites.  Plus there are many ways to tie…

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Chocolate-Caramel Matzo Brittle

This week is Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights.  Candles on the menorah are lit nightly, presents are exchanged and lots of goodies are consumed.  This is one of my favorite Chanukah sweets, brought to you by my lovely daughter and guest blogger, Libby Walter. Chanukah is under way so it’s time to load up on matzo crackers! Matzo brittle…

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Turkey Tettrazini and Turkey Noodle Soup

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers (and those non-American readers who like an excuse to fix a delicious, gluttonous turkey feast).  Tomorrow is the big day:  turkeys will be roasted, potatoes mashed, cranberries simmered, and gravy whisked.  Then Friday comes and you’re faced with a stockpile of leftovers, particularly if you are anything like me and order a turkey that…

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Updated Green Bean Casserole

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to do a guest post on a fellow American expat in London’s blog, the lovely Angloyankophile.  She was looking for some inspiration for Thanksgiving side dishes and I thought this Updated Green Bean Casserole was just right.  Check out the recipe below and be sure to check out her blog as well.  She…

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Potato and Zucchini Latkes

Tonight we light the candles and celebrate the first night of Chanukah.  Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish celebration of a miracle when oil that was only supposed to provide light in the temple for one day lasted for eight days.  So fried foods are consumed during Chanukah, in honor of that oil, and latkes are one of the most popular of those fried…

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Double Chocolate Mint Meltaways

Tis the season!  There’s nothing I enjoy more at this time of year than jamming the holiday tunes and baking cookies while a chilly wind blows outside.  Speaking of Xmas tunes, I’ve got a sweet playlist this year – Straight No Chaser “Christmas Cheers”, She & Him “A Very She & Him Christmas”, Ella Fitzgerald “A Swinging Christmas”, Johnny Cash “The Classic…

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Pomegranate Mint Crostini

Today was the first of two Holiday Appetizers cooking classes in my Two Aprons kitchen, otherwise known as my London basement.  The classes are such a joy to teach – I can’t believe I get to cook and talk about food for two hours straight!  On the menu were Pear Ginger Toddies (good way to start off the class, especially as some were nursing…

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Pear Ginger Toddies

Nearly 10 years ago I was lucky enough to get a publishing contract with Chronicle Books out of San Francisco for a hot drinks cookbook.  The result was “Some Like it Hot: 50 Drinks to Warm Your Spirits” which I co-wrote along with my dear friend, Holly Burrows.  We had such fun developing those recipes from her kitchen in San…

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Spiced Cranberry Sauce with Wine

Here is the second installment in my Thanksgiving series (two posts on the same topic can be considered a series, right?).  The first installment was for my favorite Thanksgiving carb, Herbed Oyster Stuffing.  Now we have its partner in crime, cranberry sauce.  It’s a tangy, fresh accompaniment to hearty Thanksgiving fare. I know some of you are bound by tradition to…

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